The countdown to the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Mumbai Half Marathon being held on 20th August has officially began. With just a day to race day, Vogue chats with seven women who have been training with adidas Runners in preparation for the half marathon.

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Pooja Gor, Television actress

My fitness routine has changed after training with adidas runners. Thanks to them, I work out at least three times a week. Running has become an integral part of my routine. The training has had a good impact on my running and now, I can run longer distances than before.The ‘Before’ & ‘After’ process after training with adidas runners
Before joining adidas runners, I had a non-consistent workout schedule due to my work hours. I juggled between a lot of other fitness activities and my routine was erratic. But, the training sessions, which was usually held really early in the morning with a group of dedicated individuals, pushed me more towards unlocking my potential. It’s fun when you train with people as it allows you to push your true limits, while having fun.Future #FitnessGoals
I would like to improve my endurance and be able to run longer distances without getting tired. I would want to make fitness a lifestyle.
Follow her on Instagram- @poojagor

Freishia Bomanbehram, Television Anchor

I’ve never been a cardio person and just mixing my workouts with that has made a massive difference. Our training with adidas Runners went beyond running. Every week, we were exposed to different forms of working out – from yoga to endurance training to holistic eating. Elements from all of these has made my fitness journey even more powerful.The ‘Before’ & ‘After’ process after training with adidas runners
Three months back, if you told me that one day I’ll be able to run 7k without stopping, I would have never believed you. My endurance, determination, focus and of course over all fitness has been impacted beautifully. Sometimes, we don’t know what limits our bodies can reach until we crawl out of our shells and surprise ourselves.Future #FitnessGoals
Even though running is 100% part of my workout, I am also addicted to trying different workouts such as Pilates, pole dancing, etc. There’s so much out there. After this I think running a 21k sounds amazing too.
Follow her on Instagram- @freishia

Joanna Huang, PR Manager – The Estée Lauder Companies

adidas has been great for me – the sense of community I feel when training with the other girls is so inspiring and motivating. It’s challenging to stay disciplined, especially when you have a demanding corporate job. But I’ve realized it’s important to dedicate at least 30-40 minutes, a few times a week. Now, I’m fitter with better stamina, I have more energy and I look forward to our sessions!The ‘Before’ & ‘After’ process after training with adidas runners
Before adidas Runners, I didn’t think of running as a serious form of fitness. I never ran in my life and barely managed a 1.5km run. Now, a 5-7km run doesn’t seem daunting at all! Sometimes, I look at a map when I’m stuck in traffic, and think, “This is a waste of time…I could just run to work.”Future #FitnessGoals
I want to be stronger and more flexible, so I definitely plan to do more strength training. I’d love to challenge myself to do a 15km in the next few months. In the end, if I can make this a lifestyle without compromising on things I love (like eating and sleeping), that would be awesome!
Follow her on Instagram- @hinghanghong

Devika Patel, Chief Business & Creative Officer, The Wedding Brigade

I’ve never been an athletic person and fitness was a small part of my life. My fitness routine was always ‘within my comfort zone’ before I got involved with adidas Runners. Treadmill jogs, walks, and that odd Zumba class was all I ever tried. I don’t think I ever really pushed or challenged myself. I didn’t think that it was something I could do. Now, my runs are now a part of my week. It’s my ‘me’ time. My routine is more goal-focused and now strength training and endurance training are a part of my routine as well. Training with adidas has been incredible. We’ve set exciting, challenging fitness goals; there’s been a lot of focus on improving form, strength, endurance, speed and overall wellness.The ‘Before’ & ‘After’ process after training with adidas runners
The journey has impacted me physically and mentally. Before adidas Runners, I didn’t realize how much mental positivity can help a person and that I would gain that from training to run. After adidas Runners, I’ve become a more positive runner, more conscious and aware of my body and form. And obviously, I’ve fallen even more in love with running!Future #FitnessGoals
I enjoy a 5-10k run. I’m gunning to improve my speed and do a 10k in under an hour and improve my overall strength and form.
Follow her on Instagram- @devikapatel1

Shivangi Bhatnagar, Entrepreneur and Fitness Enthusiast

Before starting my journey with the adidas Runners, I’d always been in awe of “runners”, and I always thought the world was divided into two kinds of people – runners and non-runners. With my love for strength training and weights and general aversion to cardio, I automatically fell into the latter. Training with adidas has made me truly experience what it feels like to understand that my body is capable of more than what I thought think. You can either spend your days wondering whether or not you can run, or you can spend the rest of your life knowing that you did. This is my biggest takeaway from my journey with adidas runners.The ‘Before’ & ‘After’ process after training with adidas runners
I started my fitness journey with my biggest goal: to be fit. I ate right, trained hard; lifted heavy weights and hustled for that muscle. I got to a great place; I started enjoying my progress and I felt like a total winner right up until I had to run.
Unlike most people into strength training, I never dissed running. To be honest, I was in absolute awe of runners. I held cardio as that necessary evil, and pushed anything that wasn’t strength training to the sidelines. I knew that I couldn’t run to save my life.
I fed my aversion to cardio with excuses like “Who cares if I can’t run? I’m here to get stronger.” But being “strong” is so much more. It’s about being able to constantly overcome the next challenge, isn’t it? And challenges don’t care about made-up categories like “strength” vs “endurance”. The moment that sank in, I started running. As a strength athlete, I’ve now learned that our bodies can endure long distance runs if we train and eat appropriately. And as a runner, I’ve enhanced my running with strength training.Future #FitnessGoals
My fitness goals are to build on my endurance training and make progress through every race I run this year.
Follow her on Instagram- @missshivangibhatnagar

Anuya Jakatdar, Humor writer and founder at Books on Toast

I never ran consistently before; maybe just once in 3-4 months. adidas not only helped me realize that I loved running, but also helped me correct the mistakes I was making when I ran before. Now I run 2-3 times a week and weight train 2-3 times a week, leading to a more balanced workout.The ‘Before’ & ‘After’ process after training with adidas runners
I’ve become more committed to fitness than I was before. I’ve lost inches, so that’s a bonus.Future #FitnessGoals
Now that I can run a 10k with ease, I want to try my hand at a half marathon.
Follow her on Instagram- @anuyeah

Ayesha Billimoria, Captain – adidas Runners Mumbai

The ‘Before’ & ‘After’ process after training with adidas runnersSome of the changes I’ve seen since the first time they started off at adidas Runner’s was their dedication and discipline. They were given a certain task to complete and they did. Over time they’ve understood why this needs to be a part of their daily routine and not just a chore.I have been persistent and focused all my life as an athlete. I only try to instill the exact same qualities into my runner’s. Giving up is never an option with me. You only have the option; of completing it and then going home!Key tips before race dayThere’s not much you can change closer to race day. Just breathe, relax and enjoy the ride. At the end, you only learn and grow with each race.
Follow her on Instagram- @fitgirl.india